>> I CANNOT TELL IF WE HAVE
STARTED -- THERE WE GO.
THE AUGUST 3RD, 2020 MEETING
WILL COME TO ORDER.
IT'S 2:02 P.M.
I'M LORENA
GONZELEZ.
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> HERE.
>> EIGHT PRESEN.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
THE CITY COUNCIL RULES ARE
SILENT ON ALLOWING PARTICIPATION
AT CITY COUNCIL.
THE CITY COUNCIL ANTICIPATES
CONTINUING THIS PRACTICE OF
REMOTE MEETINGS THROUGH AT LEAST
SEPTEMBER 1ST OF 2020 IN ORDER
TO ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO CONDUCT
BUSINESS REMOTELY, THE COUNCIL
RULES WILL NEED TO BE SUSPENDED.
SO I INTEND TO MOVE TO SUSPEND
THE COUNCIL RULES TO ALLOW THE
COUNCIL TO CONDUCT MEETINGS
REMOTELY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1ST.
SO IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE
COUNCIL RULES WILL BE SUSPENDED
TO ALLOW COUNCIL RULES TO HOLD
REMOTE MEETINGS AND PARTICIPATE
ELECTRONICALLY AT MEETINGS
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21ST OF 2020.
HEARING
NO OBJECTION, THE COUNCIL RULES
ARE NOW SUSPENDED AND THE
COUNCIL WILL HOLD REMOTE
MEETINGS AND PARTICIPATE
ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH SEPTEMBER
1ST.
PRESENTATIONS, I'M NOT AWARE OF
ANY PRESENTATIONS FOR TODAY.
AND THERE ARE NO MINUTES FOR
APPROVAL AT TODAY'S MEETING.
SO WE'LL MOVE TO ADOPTION OF THE
REFERRAL CALENDAR.
IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, THE
PROPOSED INTRODUCTION AND RURAL
CALENDAR WILL BE ADOPTED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
INTRODUCTION AND RURAL CALENDAR
IS ADOPTED.
IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, THE
AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA
IS ADOPTED.
COLLEAGUES, AT THIS TIME WE'LL
OPEN UP THE REMOTE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEMS ON THE
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA,
INTRODUCTION, AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR, AND THE COUNCIL'S 2020
WORK PROGRAM.
I WANT TO CONTINUE TO THANK
EVERYONE FOR THEIR CONTINUED
PATIENCE AS WE CONTINUE TO
OPERATE THIS SYSTEM IN REAL TIME
AND NAVIGATE THROUGH ALL OF THE
INEVITABLE GROWING PAINS AND
SHIFTS.
IT REMAINS OUR STRONG INTENT TO
CONTINUE TO HAVE COMMENT
REGULARLY INCLUDING ON MEETING
AGENDAS HOWEVER THE CITY COUNCIL
DOES RESERVE THE RIGHT TO END
THESE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS AT
ANY POINT.
IF WE DEEM THE SYSTEM IS BEING
ABUSED OR IS NO LONGER ALLOWING
TO BE CONDUCTED EFFICIENTLY AND
IN A MANNER IN WHICH WE'RE ABLE
TO CONDUCT OUR NECESSARY
BUSINESS.
I'LL MODERATE TODAY'S PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS 20
MINUTES.
AND EACH SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN
TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK.
I'LL CALL ON EACH SPEAKER BY
NAME AND THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY
REGISTERED ON THE COUNCIL'S
WEBSITE.
YOU CAN SIGN UP BEFORE THE END
OF PUBLIC COMMENT BY GOING TO
THE COUNCIL'S WEBSITE AT
SEATTLE.GOV/COUNCIL.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT LINK IS ALSO
LISTED ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
ONCE I CALL THE SPEAKERS' NAME,
STAFF WILL UNMUTE THE
APPROPRIATE MICROPHONE, AND AN
AUTOMATIC PROMPT OF "YOU HAVE
BEEN UNMUTED" WILL BE THE
SPEAKER'S CUE IT IS TIME TO
SPEAK.
STATE YOUR NAME AND THE ITEM
YOU'RE ADDRESSING.
PUBLIC COMMENT SHOULD RELATE TO
THE AGENDA, THE INTRODUCTION OF
THE CALENDAR OR THE COUNCIL'S
2020 WORK PROGRAM.
SPEAKERS, YOU WILL HEAR A CHIME
AT 10 SECONDS.
THAT MEANS YOU'VE GOT 10 SECONDS
LEFT TO WRAP UP YOUR PUBLIC
COMMENT AND PLEASE BE AWARE THAT
IF YOU DO NOT END YOUR COMMENTS
WITHIN THE ALLOTTED TIME PERIOD,
THEN YOUR MICROPHONE WILL BE
AUTOMATICALLY MUTED SO I CAN
CALL ON THE NEXT SPEAKER.
IF YOU'RE UNABLE TO GIVE US ALL
OF YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS IN THE
ALLOTTED TWO MINUTES, WE DO
ENCOURAGE YOU TO EMAIL US AT
COUNCIL@SEATTLE.GOV WITH THE
REMAINDER OF YOUR PUBLIC
COMMENTS.
ONCE YOU'VE COMPLETED YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT, WE ASK THAT YOU
PLEASE HANG UP AND IF YOU
CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS MEETING,
YOU CAN DO SO ON SEATTLE CHANNEL
OR ON ONE OF THE LISTENING
OPTIONS LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
GOING TO BE OPEN AND I WILL
BEGIN WITH THE FIRST SPEAKER ON
THE LIST.
IT IS 2:07 P.M.
WE'LL GO UNTIL
2:27 P.M.
AND THE FIRST SPEAKER
IS LAUREL FOLLOWED BY INDU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS LAUREL.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 6.
I'M CALLING TO VOICE MY
CONTINUED SUPPORT TO DEFUND SPD
AS YOU CONSIDER THE BUDGET THIS
WEEK.
DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE AND KING
COUNTY EQUITY NOW HAS PUT
FORWARD A PROPOSAL TO DEFUND SPD
BY 50% AND REINVEST THAT BUDGET
IN COMMUNITY-BASED AND COMMUNITY
LED SOLUTIONS TO HEALTH AND
SAFETY.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND
IMPLEMENTING THOSE DEMANDS.
THE COMMUNITIES ARE SAFER WHEN
PEOPLE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO
SUCCEED AND WHEN THEY'RE NOT
AGGRESSIVELY POLICED BY THOSE
TRAINED TO SEE VIOLENCE AS BOTH
THE HAMMER AND THE NAIL.
NOW IS THE TIME TO DELIVER ON
THOSE PROMISES.
DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND BE ON THE
RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY.
THE CITIZENS OF SEATTLE AND THE
NATION ARE WATCHING.
PLEASE DON'T LET US DOWN.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS INDU.
>> HI.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
DEFUNDING SPD.
SEVEN COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE
PROMISED DEFUNDING SPD BY 50%.
IT'S TIME TO DELIVER ON THE
PROMISE.
DON'T BE COMPLICIT IN SYSTEM
RACISM AND WHITE SUPREMACY.
119 TOP PAID SEATTLE EXECUTIVE
EMPLOYEES ARE WITH SPD.
ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY POLICE
OFFICERS, SERGEANTS, THEY'RE
PAID AN AVERAGE OF $268,000 LAST
YEAR.
FOR WHAT?
TO KILL, TORTURE, TORMENT THE
CITIZENS?
EXERCISING THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL
RIGHTS?
SLOW DOWN?
HELL NO.
DID THEY SLOW DOWN TO LOOK AND
THINK BEFORE THEY PEPPER SPRAYED
CHILDREN, BRUTALLY ATTACKED
CITIZENS OF THE CITY?
PLEASE SUPPORT KSHAMA'S
RESOLUTION.
RELEASE PROTESTERS ARRESTED
DURING THIS UPRISING WITHOUT
CHARGING.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I URGE THE COUNCIL TO DEFUND
SPD BY 50%.
AND TO SAY ONLY THIS.
DEFUND SPD.
REFUND OUR MONEY.
SO WE CAN USE IT FOR THE GOOD OF
PEOPLE.
WE THE PEOPLE DID NOT GIVE IT TO
YOU SO YOU CAN COMMIT VIOLENCE
AGAINST US WHEN WE PROTEST.
TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT A
COMMENT AGAINST ALL POLICE
OFFICERS.
ONLY AGAINST INSUFFICIENT
ACCOUNTABILITY OF THIS
INSTITUTION TO PEOPLE AT LARGE.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP IS SEAN SCOTT FOLLOWED
BY ROBERT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
GOOD AFTERNOON, SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL.
I'M CALLING IN MY CAPACITY AS A
POLICY MANAGER FOR THE SOLID
GROUND POVERTY ACTION NETWORK.
ON BEHALF OF OUR 300 EMPLOYEES,
WE WANTED TO EXTEND OUR
GRATITUDE TO THE COUNCILMEMBERS
WHO HAVE RECOGNIZED THE GRAVITY
OF THIS NEW CIVIL RIGHTS
MOVEMENT.
SO MANY OF US CAST BALLOTS IN
THE LAST RECENT ELECTIONS TO
MAKE SURE WE HAD ELECTED
OFFICIALS THAT UPHELD THE PUBLIC
TRUST AND I THINK IN THIS MOMENT
THAT MEANS LEAVING NO STONE
UNTURNED FOR THE MOST PART TO
MAKE SURE WE'RE DEFUNDING THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND
REINVESTING IN COMMUNITY CARE,
REINVESTED IN SEATTLE'S LONG
NEGLECTED BLACK COMMUNITY.
WHEN WE LOOK AT BUDGETARY
FIGURES RELATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY
IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THERE
ARE MANY SEATTLEITES THAT
RIGHTFULLY DON'T GET THE
IMPRESSION THAT BLACK LIVES
MATTER AT THEIR SOURCE.
WE SEE A SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT THAT IS FUNDED AT
LEVELS THAT EXCEED THE CITY'S
TOTAL INVESTMENT IN HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES AND CHILDCARE, IN
THE ARTS, IN LIBRARIES, PARKS,
ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS COMBINED.
IT MAKES SURE WE'RE HONORING
THAT STATEMENT WITH BUDGETARY
DECISIONS WHICH ACTUALLY REFLECT
A SOCIETY THAT'S AN ANTI-RACIST
SOCIETY, A SOCIETY THAT VALUES
BLACK LIVES AT THEIR ROOTS.
ONCE AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF
EVERYONE HERE AT THE POVERTY
ACTION NETWORK, EXTENDING OUR
SOLIDARITY TO THE MOVEMENT TO
DEFUND THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS ROBERT FOLLOWED BY
ALICIA.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD AND COUNCILMEMBERS.
I'M A HOMEOWNER IN DISTRICT 6.
THIS IS A CRUCIAL MOMENT THAT
WILL HELP DETERMINE WHETHER THIS
COUNCIL IS SERIOUS IN ITS
COMMITMENT TO BLACK LIVES AND
COMMUNITY DEMANDS AROUND
STOPPING POLICE VIOLENCE.
WE SEE SPD IS CLEARLY WORKING
HARD TO DERAIL THIS EFFORT.
THEY'RE SPENDING OUR TAXPAYER
DOLLARS ON A SOPHISTICATED AND
CLEVER MEDIA STRATEGY GENERATING
OFFENSIVE AND UNFOUNDED CONCERNS
ABOUT PEACEFUL PROTEST WHILE
CONTINUING TO IGNORE THE MURDERS
COMMITTED, SERIOUS INJURIES THEY
REPEATEDLY INFLICT AS THEY GO
ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS AND
REFUSING TO STOP THE BRUTALITY
THEY'VE DELIVERED TO PROTESTERS
AND JOURNALISTS EVEN IN THE LAST
WEEK ALONE.
THEY'RE UNAPOLOGETIC.
KILLING AND NUMEROUS OTHER WAYS
MAKING IT CLEAR SPD HAS NOT AND
WILL NOT ACCEPT THAT BLACK LIVES
MATTER.
THAT IS WHY I URGE YOU TO MEET
THE DEMANDS PUT FORTH BY
DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE AND KING
COUNTY EQUITY NOW TO DEFUND SPD
BY AT LEAST 50%, BY VOTING TO
REINVEST THAT MONEY IN
COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS,
REDUCE SPD'S BUDGET ACROSS THE
BOARD.
I ALSO URGE YOU TO OVERRIDE
MAYOR DURKIN'S APPALLING VETO OF
THE FUNDS WHICH ARE AN URGENT
EQUITY ISSUE.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS ALICIA FOLLOWED BY
MIA.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS ALICIA.
I SPEAK TODAY FROM OUR
COALITION'S COLLECTIVE
EXPERIENCE OF WORKING TO PREVENT
AND RESPOND TO DOMESTIC AND
SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN SEATTLE AND
KING COUNTY.
WE STAND WITH DECRIMINALIZE
SEATTLE, KING COUNTY NOW, AND
OTHERS IN OUR CITY CALLING FOR
SIGNIFICANT REINVESTMENT IN
SOLUTIONS THAT SUPPORT THOSE IN
THE COMMUNITY.
PERSONAL RESPONSES TO VIOLENCE
DO NOT MAKE US SAFER, NOR DO
THEY LEAD TO TRUE
ACCOUNTABILITY.
SOME SURVIVORS TURN TO THE
POLICE FOR PROTECTION REPRESENTS
A COLLECTIVE FAILURE TO PROVIDE
OTHER OPTIONS.
UNTIL WE DO, SURVIVORS' NEEDS
AND INTERESTS SHOULD BE
SUPPORTED WITHIN THE SYSTEMS
THEY TURN TO FOR HELP.
WE URGE YOU TO REFUSE ANY SPD
BUDGET PROPOSALS THAT WOULD CUT
OR REDUCE SERVICES TO SURVIVORS.
ADDITIONALLY WE SUPPORT THE
ELIMINATION OF THE ENTIRE
NAVIGATION TEAM AND THE
REDIRECTION OF THESE FUNDS TO
OUTREACH ENGAGEMENT SERVICES AND
HOUSING.
WE CALL UPON YOU TO TRULY AND
FULLY HONOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO
DEFUND THE SPD BY 50% OR MORE.
PLEASE USE YOUR POWER NOW TO
CREATE A HEALTHIER, SAFER, AND
MORE EQUITABLE SEATTLE WHERE ALL
CAN THRIVE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING
IN.
>> HI.
THANK YOU.
HELLO TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 4.
I KNOW THIS AFTERNOON IS NOT
ABOUT THE BUDGET BUT I DIDN'T
GET A CHANCE TO COMMENT EARLIER
DUE TO HIGH NUMBERS SO I'M
CALLING ABOUT THAT NOW.
I WANT TO SAY I'M STRONGLY IN
SUPPORT OF DEFUNDING SPD BY 50%
AT LEAST AND INVESTING IN OUR
BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.
I'M AN ORGANIZER IN MY
NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP MAPLE LEAF
FOR BLACK LIVES.
HUNDREDS OF CONSTITUENTS ARE
ALSO OUT TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT
FOR THE DEMANDS OF THE LEADERS.
I URGE ALL COUNCILMEMBERS TO
PLEASE DENOUNCE THE LIES BEING
SPREAD AND THE PRESS ABOUT THE
MOVEMENT AND WHAT DEFUNDING THE
POLICE REALLY MEANS AS WELL AS
THE LIES ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE
EVERYDAY MARCH GROUP FOR BOTH
THE MORNING AND EVENING MARCH.
MANY OF YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO THEM
OR EVEN MET THEM IN PERSON.
I COMMEND YOU.
AND YOU KNOW FIRSTHAND THEY ARE
NOT AGGRESSIVE NOR DANGEROUS.
I MARCH WITH THEM.
I STAND WITH THEM.
AND I SUPPORT THEM AND THESE
LIES ARE DANGEROUS.
ALSO AS A RESEARCHER AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON MYSELF,
I MUST USE THIS PLATFORM TO
POINT OUT MY COUNCILMEMBER ALEX
PEDERSEN'S RECENT SURVEY ASKING
FOR FEEDBACK ON THE PROGRAM WAS
SHAMEFULLY LEADING AND BIAS ON
HIS DECISION TO VOTE AGAINST
THIS DEMAND AND HAVE SOMETHING
TO HIDE BEHIND IN TERMS OF
PUBLIC SUPPORT FROM HIS
CONSTITUENTS.
SHAME ON YOU, ALEX.
THAT SURVEY WOULD NEVER MADE IT
THROUGH A REVIEW BOARD BECAUSE
IT WAS SO BIAS.
SO PLEASE DO BETTER.
PLEASE SHOW THAT BLACK LIVES
MATTER THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS HOWARD.
>> YES, OBVIOUSLY YOU NEED TO
DEFUND THE SPD AT 50% BUT PLEASE
DO NOT IGNORE THE SPD IS ONLY
ONE PART OF OUR CURRENT PROGRAM.
IT COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED
WITHOUT THE FAILURES, THE
COMMUNITY POLICE POSITION.
THE 27 OTHER DEATHS THAT HAVE
PRECEDED THAT.
BOTH THE SPD HAVE FAILED US.
YOU CANNOT FIX ONE WITHOUT
FIXING BOTH.
PLEASE DEFUND AND REORGANIZE
THOSE ENTITIES, THE COMMUNITY
POLICE COMMISSION, THE OFFICE OF
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THE
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.
THANKS.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP IS ROSY FOLLOWED BY
ALEX.
MY APOLOGIES TO YOU, ROSIE.
I'M SURE I BUTCHERED YOUR LAST
NAME.
>> HI.
MY NAME IS ROSY.
THAT IS JUST FINE.
IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.
I'M A LIFELONG SEATTLE RESIDENT
NURSE PRACTITIONER AND I
CURRENTLY LIVE IN DISTRICT 3.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
RESOLUTION 31961.
SO I WISH SECTION 3 WAS MORE
SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT SUBJECT TO
DISCIPLINE ACTUALLY MEANS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S
ENFORCEABLE WHEN SPD HAS THE
POWER IT CURRENTLY HAS.
THANK YOU, I YIELD MY TIME.
>> HELLO.
SPD'S CURRENT METHOD OF LAYING
OFF POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE LAID
OFF IN ORDER OF LENGTH OF
SERVICE, THE ONE WITH THE LEAST
SERVICE LAID OFF FIRST.
THIS RULE ALSO INDICATES LAYOFFS
OUT OF THE REGULAR ORDER CAN BE
GRANTED UPON SHOWING A NECESSITY
IN THE INTEREST OF EFFICIENT
OPERATION OF THEIR DEPARTMENT.
IT IS A NECESSITY THAT SPD BE
COMPRISED OF BLACK INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE OF COLOR.
POLICE SYSTEMS ARE INHERENTLY
RACIST AND CANNOT BE OPERATED
AND LED BY THE PEOPLE WHO
BENEFIT FROM THE RACISM BUILT
INTO THE SYSTEM.
WE NEED POLICE OFFICERS WHO
UNDERSTAND AND HAVE FIRSTHAND
EXPERIENCE IN HOW IT CAN HARM
PEOPLE IN ALL OF ITS FORM.
WE NEED TO EXPUNGE OPPRESSORS
FROM OUR PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS.
FOLLOW KSHAMA SAWANT'S LEAD AND
STOP WHITE SUPREMACY FROM
DOMINATING THE PUBLIC SYSTEMS
MADE TO PROTECT US.
BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTERS.
MEET THE DEMANDS.
DEFUND SPD.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS REBA.
THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM ABBEY.
>> HELLO, COUNCILMEMBERS.
I WORK IN SEATTLE.
BLACK LIVES MATTER AND DEFUNDING
POLICE IS THE MOST URGENT THING
WE NEED TO DO AT THIS POINT FOR
THE CONCRETE ACTION ITEM THAT
THE BLM MOVEMENT HAS BEEN
PROGRESSING.
WE NEED ABOLITION SINCE IT HAS
NOT WORKED FOR MOST POLICE
DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTRY.
I WANT YOU TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF
THE KING COUNTY NOW EQUITY
COALITION WHO HAVE CONCRETE
DEMANDS IN CUTTING SPD'S BUDGET
AND USING IT TO HALT
GENTRIFICATION AND BUILD
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
SPACES TO INCREASE PUBLIC
SAFETY.
THIS IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR
UPHOLDING THE VALUES OF
SECULARISM AND DEMOCRACY IN THIS
COUNTRY.
>> NEXT UP IS ABBY FOLLOWED BY
WILL.
>> HI.
MY NAME IS ABBY LONDON.
I'M CALLING SPEAKING IN SUPPORT
OF RESIDENTS IN SNOHOMISH
VISITED LAST NIGHT BY AN
AGGRESSIVE MOB.
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ADVISORY
COUNCIL AND REVEREND HARRIET AND
OVER 1,015 OTHERS WHO DO NOT
AGREE WITH THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA
KNOWN AS DEFUND THE POLICE.
I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT FOR AN
AGGRESSIVE MOB TO GET THEIR WAY.
AN ANGRY MOB.
COUNCILMEMBERS LEWIS AND
STRAUSS, YOU CAMPAIGNED FOR MORE
POLICE OFFICERS.
I IMPLORE YOU TO STICK TO WHAT
YOU PROMISED YOUR CONSTITUENTS
WHEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE.
THE CRIME DASHBOARD DATA ISN'T
AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC THROUGH
JULY YET, ONE OF THE MOST
DANGEROUS MONTHS IN SEATTLE.
WE ALREADY KNOW WE DON'T HAVE
ENOUGH OFFICERS FOR A CITY OF
OUR SIZE AND YOU HAVE NO PLAN TO
SET UP AN ALTERNATIVE.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, YOU FIGHT
CITIES LIKE EUGENE AND DENVER'S
SUCCESS WITH OTHER PROGRAMS IN
AN EMAIL BUT YOU'VE FAILED TO
MENTION CITIES LIKE NEW YORK
CITY AND MINNEAPOLIS WHICH HAS
SEEN AN INCREASE IN CRIME SINCE
DEFUNDING.
OBVIOUSLY DUE TO THE PANDEMIC,
MANY CUTS ARE GOING TO BE MADE.
HOW ABOUT HIGHLIGHT OTHER
PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE CUT AND BY
HOW MUCH.
PLEASE STOP IGNORING
LONGSTANDING BLACK COMMUNITY
MEMBERS WHO ARE AGAINST
DEFUNDING THE POLICE.
STOP ENCOURAGING ANGRY MOBS.
THAT'S NOT WHAT SEATTLE IS ABOUT
AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS WILL FOLLOWED BY
BRITTANY.
>> HELLO.
THANK YOU, SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS WILL.
I'M A SEATTLE DISTRICT 4
RESIDENT, UNION MEMBER, AND
SOLID GROUND STOCK MEMBER.
I'M CALLING ON BEHALF OF SOLID
GROUND AND MYSELF TO URGE YOUR
SUPPORT INTO FUNDING SPD BY 50%,
DEMANTLING THE NAVIGATION TEAM,
AND REINVESTING IN BLACK AND
BROWN COMMUNITIES.
OUR WORK INCLUDES HOMELESS
PREVENTION, RENTAL ASSISTANCE,
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING,
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES,
TRANSPORTATION, AND MORE.
SPD IS THE VIOLENT STREET COURSE
OF A CRIMINAL SYSTEM THAT
CONTINUES TO SUPPRESS SEATTLE'S
BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.
FURTHERMORE, THE RAPIDLY
EXTENDING BUDGET MEANS SPD IS
CALLED TO SITUATIONS WHERE THEY
DO NOT HAVE THE EXPERTISE.
IN FACT, SPD OFFICERS ASKED TO
RESPOND TO BEHAVORIAL AND MENTAL
HEALTH CRISIS SITUATIONS
OFTENTIMES THREATEN AND HARM
THOSE IN NEED OF HELP RATHER
THAN DE-ESCALATING SITUATIONS
AND PROVIDING CRITICAL SUPPORT.
FUNDS FROM SPD'S BUDGET MUST BE
REINVESTED IN A MANNER THAT
ALLOWS THOSE GROUPS WHO HAVE
BEEN MOST IMPACTED BY POLICE
BRUTALITY AND MASS INCARCERATION
TO FULLY CONTROL THE WAY THOSE
INVESTMENTS ARE MADE IN SUPPORT
OF THEIR OWN LIBERATION.
THAT MEANS SUPPORTING COMMUNITY
LED ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH PUBLIC
SAFETY, SOCIAL SERVICES AND MORE
ARE PROVIDED IN OUR CITY.
FINALLY I WANT TO HONOR AND
APPRECIATE THE ORGANIZERS AND
COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHOSE WORK
BEFORE AND THROUGH THE SUMMER OF
2020 HAS AFFORDED YOU ALL THE
OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THE RIGHT
SIDE OF HISTORY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS BRITTANY FOLLOWED BY
SHELBY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS BRITTANY WILLIAMS.
I'M THE DAUGHTER OF A RETIRED
ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF IN
ARKANSAS AND I UNDERSTAND ISSUES
FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.
I'M AN IN-HOME CARE WORKER AND
AN EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO
TESTIFY.
I'M SPEAKING NOT ONLY ON BEHALF
OF MYSELF BUT MY SON, MY
DAUGHTER, AND ON BEHALF OF
THOUSANDS OF CAREGIVERS WHO LIVE
AND WORK IN SEATTLE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS THAT
775 SUPPORTS THE DECRIM SEATTLE
DEMAND AND ASKS YOU AS CITY
COUNCIL TO DEFUND SPD BY $9
MILLION AND REINVEST IN
COMMUNITIES BY VOTING TO
ELIMINATE SPD'S FUNCTIONS THAT
ARE HARMFUL TO SEATTLE
RESIDENTS, TRANSFER FUNCTIONS TO
NONMILITARIZED CITY PROGRAMS IN
THE DEPARTMENT, REDUCE THE
BUDGET ACROSS THE BOARD, FUND
COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS IN TRUE
HEALTH AND SAFETY WITH MONEY
THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE WENT
TO THE SPD BUDGET.
TOO MANY BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE
IN OUR CITIES ARE BEING
MURDERED, HARASSED, INTIMIDATED,
AND FALSELY ACCUSED.
WE NEED TO HELP OUR SENIORS.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT
EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO
HEALTHCARE.
PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO PUT
FOOD ON THEIR TABLE BECAUSE
THEY'RE IN DEBT FROM UNEXPECTED
HOSPITAL VISITS.
THE LIST GOES ON AND ON OF REAL
NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO PLEASE VOTE ON WEDNESDAY TO
REIMAGINE THE POLICY OF OUR
POLICE.
TO GIVE MY SON AND OTHER BLACK
AND BROWN CHILDREN AND MY
DAUGHTER A FUTURE WITH LESS
VIOLENCE AND FEAR.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
AND ALSO HUGE THANKS TO ALL OF
THE MEMBERS OF 775 FOR ALL THE
CAREGIVER WORK THAT THEY'RE
DOING.
SO IMPORTANT NOW AND ALWAYS.
NEXT UP IS SHELBY FOLLOWED BY
TOBIN.
>> HI THERE.
MY NAME IS SHELBY HANDLER AND
I'M AN EDUCATOR AND A WRITER WHO
LIVES IN DISTRICT 2.
AND I'M A RENTER.
I JUST WANT TO ECHO WHAT SO MANY
ARE SAYING ON THIS CALL.
I BELIEVE IN DEFUNDING SPD AND
REINVESTING IN COMMUNITY.
DOING THIS, ACTUALLY ALL OF OUR
LIVES DEPEND ON THIS.
MOST OF ALL, BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES, BUT TRULY ALL OF
US, BECAUSE POLICE DO NOT MAKE
ANYONE SAFER.
POLICE DO NOT MAKE ANYONE SAFER.
AND I KNOW IT'S A SCARY TIME AND
SO IT FEELS RISKY TO DO
SOMETHING LIKE THIS, BUT I KNOW
THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE
CLINGING TIGHTER TO SYSTEMS THAT
PROMISE US SAFETY THROUGH
DOMINATION AND VIOLENCE.
BUT THE FACT IS THOSE SYSTEMS
ARE ONLY GOING TO DO WHAT THEY
WERE DESIGNED TO DO.
PROTECT THE WHITE RULING CLASS
BY TARGETING BLACK AND BROWN
FOLKS.
AND I REALLY BELIEVE IT'S TIME
FOR A NEW SOLUTION AND I FEEL
INSPIRED BY THOSE COUNCILMEMBERS
WHO HAVE ALREADY PLEMGD TO
DEFUND SPD BY 50%.
SO LET'S HEED THAT CALL ROOTED
IN THE WISDOM OF COMMUNITIES WHO
ARE MOST IMPACTED.
SO PLEASE, COUNCIL, MEET THE
DEMANDS PUT FORWARD BY
DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE TO DEFUND
SPD BY AT LEAST 50% AND REINVEST
IN COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR
HEALTH AND SAFETY.
ELIMINATE AND TRANSFER SPD'S
FUNCTION AND BUDGETS ACROSS THE
BOARD.
I REALLY BELIEVE HISTORY IS
GOING TO LOOK BACK ON ALL OF YOU
FOR MAKING A MOVE TOWARD THE
MORE JUST WORLD THAT ALL OF US
DESPERATELY NEED SO THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS TOBIN.
THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM CHRIS.
>> THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS TOBIN.
I'M A RESIDENT OF BALLARD
DISTRICT NUMBER 6.
I'M A PUBLIC DEFENDER AND AN
ATTORNEY.
I'M CALLING TODAY TO SUPPORT THE
EFFORTS OF DEFUND SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE DO THIS
AS A FIRST AND MAJOR STEP TOWARD
CREATING A SYSTEM THAT EMPOWERS
BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE AND
PROVIDES FOR A COMMUNITY THAT
MAKES PEOPLE SAFE AND ALSO GIVES
THEM THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED
SO THAT WAY THEY CAN ACTUALLY
PURSUE THE AMERICAN DREAM.
I WORK EVERY DAY IN A SYSTEM
WHERE POLICE OFFICERS USE
REPORTS AND ACCUSE INDIVIDUALS,
PARTICULARLY BLACK AND BROWN
INDIVIDUALS, FOR ENGAGING IN
WHAT THEY CALL VIOLENCE ACTIVITY
OR AGGRESSIVE MANNERS.
AND THEY USE THIS IN ORDER TO
TRY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES FOR THE
ACTIONS THAT THEY TAKE AGAINST
BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE AND OFTEN
END UP CHARGING THESE
INDIVIDUALS WITH ASSAULTING
OFFICERS.
I DEFEND THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY
AND I SEE WHAT THIS DOES TO A
COMMUNITY AND WHAT THE PROBLEMS
ARE AND PROTECTING THESE POLICE
OFFICERS AND GIVING THEM SO MUCH
MONEY IN ORDER TO WRITE THESE
REPORTS TO CRIMINALIZE BLACK AND
BROWN PEOPLE AND USE IT TO
JUSTIFY THEIR VIOLENT ACTIONS
AGAINST THEM.
EVERY SINGLE YEAR WE PUT INTO
PLACE REFORM AFTER REFORM AFTER
REFORM WITH ABSOLUTELY NO
RESULTS.
THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
WE NEED TO REMOVE THIS FUNDING,
INVEST IT INTO SERVICES WE CAN
ACTUALLY PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY
HOUSING, PROPER CRISIS CONTROL
AND MANAGEMENT, AND SUPPORT TO
COMMUNITY RATHER THAN
DECRIMINALIZE THEM AND ALLOW THE
POLICE OFFICERS TO ENGAGE IN
THIS VIOLENT ACTIVITY AGAINST
BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE.
WE NEED TO SUPPORT THEM.
BY DOING THAT, WE SUPPORT OUR
COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE REACHED THE
20-MINUTE ALLOTTED TIME FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE ONLY HAVE A HANDFUL OF PUBLIC
COMMENTERS LEFT.
IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, I'M
GOING TO EXTEND THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD BY ANOTHER 20
MINUTES ALTHOUGH I THINK WE HAVE
QUITE A BIT LESS THAN 20
MINUTES.
SO IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, I'D
LIKE TO EXTEND THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD BY 20 MINUTES.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, WE WILL GO
UNTIL 2:48 P.M.
AND I WILL NOW
CALL ON CHRIS WEBBER FOLLOWED BY
ELLEN.
>> HI.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 3 AND I
SUPPORT THE FIVE DEMANDS FROM
THE EVERYDAY MARCH.
SPD MUST BE DEFUNDED BY AT LEAST
50%.
THE MONEY REINVESTED.
AND SHUT DOWN BY THE END OF THE
YEAR, NOT 2025.
THE SPD'S ANNUAL BUDGET HAS
ALMOST DOUBLED, GOING FROM $229
MILLION IN 2001, TO $409 MILLION
THIS YEAR.
HOWEVER, THEIR AVERAGE HOMICIDE
CLEARANCE RATE IS ONLY 68%.
ACCORDING TO THE SEATTLE TIMES,
SPD'S ARREST RATE FOR RAPES WAS
8%.
7% OF BURGLARIES AND 41% OF
VIOLENT CRIME INCIDENTS IN 2013
WERE CLEARED.
THE NEW YORK TIMES IN AN ARTICLE
ESTABLISHED IN JUNE
CLEARLY THE MASSIVE INCREASE IN
SPD'S BUDGET HAVE NOT REDUCED
CRIME RATES NOR HAVE THEY
INCREASED CRIME CLEARANCE RATES.
WE DON'T NEED A MILITARIZED
FORCE OF ARMED POLICE OFFICERS
TO RESPOND TO BURGLARIES,
SWEEPS, AND CALLS REGARDING
HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, PARKING
ENFORCEMENT, INDIVIDUALS WITH
MENTAL ILLNESS, AND TURNING
NONVIOLENT PROTESTS INTO WAR
ZONES.
WE NEED UPSTREAM SERVICES TO
INCREASE EDUCATION SPENDING TO
EQUIP PEOPLE WITH JOBS AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHICH WILL
PREVENT CRIME IN THE FIRST PLACE
RATHER THAN SIMPLY RESPONDING TO
INCIDENTS.
POVERTY IS NOT A CRIME AND WE
NEED TO TREAT OUR HOMELESS
POPULATION AND THOSE WITH MENTAL
ILLNESS WITH COMPASSION.
USING TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS
INSTEAD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH
LITTLE PSYCHIATRIC KNOWLEDGE.
FULFILL YOUR PROMISE OR WE'LL
SEE YOU AT THE BALLOT BOX.
THANK YOU, AND I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS ELLEN FOLLOWED BY
ANDRE.
>> HI.
I'M ELLEN, DISTRICT 6 VOTER.
I TOO BELIEVE WE NEED TO DEFUND
SPD BY AT LEAST 50% AND REINVEST
IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.
I GREW UP IN SOUTHERN
MINNEAPOLIS AND BALLARD.
IN BOTH PLACES IT IS OBVIOUS
POLICE OUTCOMES DIFFER AND
THERE'S NO MORAL JUSTIFICATION
FOR SPENDING OVER A MILLION
PUBLIC DOLLARS IN OUR CITY EVERY
DAY.
IN THIS PANDEMIC, COUNCILMEMBERS
WHY ARE YOU TURNING YOUR BACKS
ON US, YOUR CONSTITUENTS, AND
PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF THE
POLICE OFFICERS' GUILDS.
PLEASE LISTEN TO THE MAJORITY OF
SEATTLEITES THAT SUPPORT A 50%
DEFUND ACCORDING TO A KING 5
SURVEY.
I URGE YOU TO REMOVE $81 MILLION
FROM SPD BUDGET AND FOLLOW THE
PLANS FROM KING COUNTY EQUITY
NOW AND DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE TO
BUILD A TRULY SAFE SEATTLE.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS ANDRE FOLLOWED BY
GRACE.
>> HELLO.
YES, I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED
ABOUT THE LANGUAGE I'VE BEEN
HEARING OF THE KIND OF ROBOTIC
LANGUAGE ABOUT ROIMAGINING AND
BEING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF
HISTORY.
IT'S REALLY KIND OF SAD.
BUT IF YOU THINK THAT GETTING
RID OF POLICE OFFICERS IS GOING
TO MAKE THE BLACK COMMUNITY
SAFE, THAT'S REALLY MISGUIDED
AND I JUST THINK THAT YOU HAVE
NO IDEA WHAT IS REALLY GOING TO
HELP BLACK COMMUNITIES AND BLACK
PEOPLE.
AND I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP IS GRACE FOLLOWED BY
ESTER CAMPBELL.
>> HI.
MY NAME IS GRACE.
I'M A RESIDENT OF MERCER ISLAND.
I JUST GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL
THIS YEAR AND ON BEHALF OF THE
YOUTH AND THE FUTURE
GENERATIONS, WE DEMAND NOTHING
LESS THAN FOR SPD IT TO BE
DEFUNDED BY AT LEAST 50%, THEN
FOR THAT MONEY TO BE REALLOCATED
INTO BLACK COMMUNITIES AND TO
SECTORS SUCH AS HOUSING,
HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTH,
EDUCATION, ET CETERA.
I FULLY SUPPORT KING COUNTY
EQUITY NOW AND DECRIM SEATTLE.
IT'S YOUR DUTY AND OBLIGATION TO
FIX THIS RACIST SYSTEM YOU LEFT
FOR US AND YOU SHOULD BE
EMBARRASSED LITTLE CHILDREN ARE
MORE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR BLACK
LIVES THAN YOU ARE.
MANY OF YOU HAVE MET THE
ORGANIZERS OF THE EVERYDAY MARCH
AND KNOW THESE PROTESTERS ARE
NOT VIOLENT OR POSE ANY SORT OF
DANGER.
IF BLACK LIVES MATTER, PROVE IT.
THANK YOU.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> NEXT UP IS ESTER FOLLOWED BY
TILSHAN.
>> HI.
I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 3
AND I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
DEFUNDING THE SPD.
WE'RE IN AN ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC
HEALTH CRISIS AND WE NEED TO
REALLOCATE FUNDS TO SUPPORTING
PEOPLE THROUGH COVID-19
ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR.
SPD'S XOIRS IS A THREAT TO
PUBLIC SAFETY.
I LIVE VERY CLOSE TO MANY OF THE
RECENT PROTESTS AND THE POLICE
HAVE NOT MADE US SAFER.
THEY'VE PUT US AT RISK BY
GASSING PROTESTERS WHO ARE
RESPONDING TO POLICE VIOLENCE.
NOT ONLY DID THIS HARM
PROTESTERS AND JOURNALISTS, THEY
HURT RESIDENTS SIMPLY EXISTING
IN OUR OWN HOMES INCLUDING
CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PEOPLE.
THE POLICE HAVE ACTED LIKE AN
ANGRY MOB AND THEY HAVE POISONED
PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND
THEY REGULARLY HARASSED BLACK
AND BROWN PEOPLE AND HOMELESS
PEOPLE.
WE NEED TO STOP USING EXCESSIVE
FORCE.
WE NEED TO STOP TRAUMATIZING
BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE AND
HOMELESS PEOPLE.
WE NEED TO END THE NAVIGATION
TEAM WHO HAVE BEEN IGNORING THE
CDC GUIDELINES AND MOVING ON
HOMELESS PEOPLE DURING A
PANDEMIC EVEN THOUGH THIS
INCREASES THE COVID RISK BY
INTERRUPTING THEIR SERVICES.
AND WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF KING COUNTY
AND DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE AND
INVEST MONEY IN SUPPORTING
PEOPLE THROUGH THIS HORRIBLE
CRISIS INSTEAD OF INVESTING
MONEY IN VIOLENCE.
THANK YOU.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> HELLO.
>> HI.
YOU'RE ON.
GO FOR IT.
>> THIS IS ACTUALLY TK.
ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS FROM THE
EVERYDAY MARCH.
THAT'S MY GOVERNMENT NAME NOW
THAT YOU GUYS KNOW.
OF COURSE I'M IN SUPPORT OF
DEFUNDING SPD BY 50%.
AND REALLOCATING THOSE FUNDS TO
BLACK COMMUNITIES.
JUST LIKE PREVIOUS PEOPLE
BECAUSE IF YOU THOUGHT OF THE
FUTURE, WE NEED TO INVEST IN
THEIR EDUCATION NOW TO PREVENT
THAT EDUCATION STREET PIPELINE
FROM BEING REAL IN THE FUTURE
FOR THEM.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS, I'M
DEEPLY SADDENED BY YOUR COMMENTS
OF US TERRORIZING COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ.
THAT'S VERY TERRIFYING THAT YOU
SAID THAT.
WHEN YOU ATTENDED ONE OF OUR
MARCHES COMPLETELY ALL THE WAY
THROUGH.
AFTER YOU ATTENDED ONE OF OUR
MARCHES, IT'S DISHEARTENING.
NOW WE KNOW YOU GUYS SAY ONE
THING TO OUR FACE, AND THEN GO
BEHIND OUR BACK AND SAY
SOMETHING ELSE.
SO LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, I'M
GOING TO TELL YOU LIKE THIS, IF
BLACK LIVES MATTER, PROVE IT.
QUIT TALKING AND PROVE IT.
PUT SOME PEN TO THE PAPER AND
PROVE IT.
I YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU, TK.
NEXT UP IS RACHEL FOLLOWED BY
ASPEN BLAIN.
>> HI THERE.
MY NAME IS RACHEL.
I'M A RENTER AND RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 5.
I'M SPEAKING PARTICULARLY TO MY
REPRESENTATIVE DEBORAH JUAREZ.
I VOTED FOR YOU AND YOU'RE
ACCOUNTABLE TO ME.
I BELIEVE IN DEFUNDING SPD AND
REINVESTING IN COMMUNITIES IS
NECESSARY BECAUSE THE POLICE DO
NOT KEEP US SAFE AND ARE ASKED
TO DO TOO MUCH IN OUR SOCIETY.
I DO NOT THINK IT MAKES SENSE TO
HAVE A VIOLENT PERSON WITH A GUN
RESPONDING.
POLICE HAVE BEEN BRUTALIZING
PROTESTERS IN THE STREETS TO
STOP THEM FROM EXERCISING THEIR
FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.
THIS IS DISGUSTING AND DEEPLY
WRONG.
CHARGE. ALL PROTESTERS WITHOUT
PLEASE MEET THE DEMANDS PUT
FORWARD BY DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE
AND DEFUND SPD BY AT LEAST 50%
BY VOTING TO REINVEST IN
COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS TO
HEALTH AND SAFETY.
ELIMINATE AND TRANSFER SPD
FUNCTIONS AND REDUCE SPD BUDGET
ACROSS THE BOARD.
THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO
COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR LAST SPEAKER SIGNED UP FOR
TODAY IS ASPEN BLAIN.
>> HELLO.
MY NAME IS ASPEN.
I BOTH LIVE AND OWN A BUSINESS
IN DISTRICT 5.
I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU IN
SUPPORT OF DEFUNDING SPD.
I HAVE BEEN PERSONALLY ARRESTED
IN THE PAST AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH
TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY
COURT SYSTEM PART OF KING COUNTY
LARGER.
NOT ONLY HAS THAT CHANGED MY
LIFE, PREVENTING MYSELF FROM
COMMITTING FURTHER CRIME AND
ENCOURAGING ME TO BECOME A
COMMUNITY MEMBER BUT I WATCHED
IT CHANGE LIVES FOR SO MANY
PEOPLE.
WE ALL WERE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BUT
INSTEAD OF JAIL TIME WE SERVE
OUR COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY
MEETS OUR NEEDS OF HOUSING,
EDUCATION, WORK AND TRAINING,
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND MORE.
I WATCHED HOW MEETING THESE
COMMUNITY NEEDS KEEPS PEOPLE
FROM COMMITTING CRIMES IN THE
FIRST PLACE.
WE NEED SUPPORT, NOT VIOLENCE.
WE CAN PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT
BEFORE THE CRIMES ARE COMMITTED.
THE UNITED STATES HAS THE
HIGHEST RECIDIVISM RATE IN THE
WORLD.
CLEARLY OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM ISN'T
WORKING.
DEFUNDING SPD ALLOWS US TO SPEND
OUR BUDGET, SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN
THE COMMUNITY, AND TRULY WORK
TOWARD MAKING SEATTLE SAFE.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO SHARE I HAD A
CALL ONCE FOR A SUICIDE CALL AND
THERE WAS NOTHING MORE
TERRIFYING THAN TO HAVE TWO MEN
WITH GUNS AT MY DOOR WHEN I WAS
REALLY AT THE END OF MY OWN
ROPE.
SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO DO
THINGS DIFFERENTLY, BASICALLY.
PLEASE TAKE THIS URGENT STEP,
THIS URGENT FIRST STEP OF
DEFUNDING SPD BY 50% OR MORE.
I ALSO SUPPORT KING COUNTY
EQUITY NOW AND DECRIMINALIZE
SEATTLE'S SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW TO
SPEND THE MONEY.
I YIELD MY TIME BY URGING MY
REPRESENTATIVE, DEBORA JAUREZ,
TO JOIN US ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF
HISTORY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, ASPEN,
FOR CALLING IN TODAY.
OKAY, FOLKS.
I'M DOING ONE LAST REVIEW OF OUR
PUBLIC COMMENT.
IT LOOKS LIKE ALL OF THOSE
SPEAKERS WHO PREREGISTERED AND
ARE CURRENTLY LISTED AS PRESENT
HAVE BEEN CALLED UPON SO WE'RE
GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CLOSE OUT
TODAY'S PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY HAVE
REGISTERED BUT DIDN'T GET
MATCHED UP, THERE IS A SELECT
BUDGET MEETING SCHEDULED FOR
THIS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5TH
STARTING AT 10:00 A.M.
YOU CAN
REGISTER FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON
ISSUES RELATED TO THE ENTIRE
BUDGET STARTING AT 8:00 A.M.
OKAY, FOLKS.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND DIG
INTO ITEMS OF BUSINESS ON THIS
AFTERNOON'S AGENDA.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND BEGIN WITH
PAYMENT OF THE BILLS AND I'D ASK
THE CLERK PLEASE READ THAT TITLE
INTO THE RECORD.
>> COUNCILMEMBER 119837.
APPROPRIATING MONEY TO PAY FOR
CLAIMS THE WEEK OF JULY 20,
2020, THROUGH JULY 24TH, 2020,
AND ORDERING PAYMENT THEREOF.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
I MOVE TO PASS COUNCIL BILL
119837.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED.
THE BILL PASSED.
HEARING NO COMMENTS, WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE ON
THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSEN.
>> AYE.
>> SAWANT.
>> AYE.
>> STRAUSS.
JUAREZ.
>> AYE.
>> HERBOLD.
>> AYE.
>> LEWIS.
>> AYE.
>> MORALES.
>> AYE.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> AYE.
AND MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU CALL ON
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS ONE MORE
TIME BEFORE YOU CALL THE TALLY?
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> I'M NOT HEARING HIM SO WE
CAN GO AHEAD AND PROCEED.
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR.
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
THE BILL PASSES AND THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN IT.
I ASK THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS, COMMITTEE
REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL,
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
1 AND 2 INTO THE RECORD.
>> APPOINTMENT 1589 AND 1590.
APPOINTMENT OF SIMHA REDDY AS
MEMBER, KING COUNTY REGIONAL
HOMELESSNESS AUTHORITY
IMPLEMENTATION BOARD, FOR TERM
TO JULY 15, 2023.
AND APPOINTMENT OF PAULA
CARVALOHO AS MEMBER, KING COUNTY
REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS AUTHORITY
IMPLEMENT BOARD FOR TERM JULY
15, 2024.
>> I MOVE TO CONFIRM
APPOINTMENTS 1589 AND 1590.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND
RECOGNIZE YOU IN ORDER TO
ADDRESS THEM.
>> I NEGLECTED TO MENTION THAT
THESE WERE UP FOR FINAL PASSAGE
TODAY FROM THE SELECT COMMITTEE.
WE PUT OUT AN ALL CALL TO ASK
PEOPLE IF THEY WANTED TO DISTURB
ON THIS UNPRECEDENTED
IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE FOR THE
KING COUNTY REGIONAL
HOMELESSNESS AUTHORITY TO TAKE
THIS GREAT STEP FORWARD IN
HAVING A REGIONAL RESPONSE TO
PUT TOGETHER OUR HOMELESSNESS
SERVICES AS A CITY AND A COUNTY
AND COLOCATE THOSE SERVICES.
THE FOLKS WE ARE PUTTING FORWARD
TODAY IN THESE BILLS WERE THE
RESULT OF THAT OPEN APPLICATION
PROCESS WHERE WE RECEIVED A
NUMBER OF INTERESTED APPLICANTS
FROM THE PUBLIC AND WE SELECTED
AT THE LEVEL, I WANT TO THANK
CODY IN COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ'S
OFFICE.
I'M REALLY DISCUSSING LIKE WHO
ARE THE PEOPLE WE SHOULD PUT
FORWARD TO REALLY BE MINDFUL, IN
WHO THEY FEEL LIKE BRINGS THE
LEADERSHIP, THE SKILLS AND THE
EMP ATHY TO DO THIS WORK WELL.
I CAN SAY THAT AT THE MEETING
THE OTHER DAY WHERE WE CONFIRMED
THE APPOINTMENTS AND
IMPLEMENTATION BOARD, THERE WERE
SOME MEMBERS THAT INVITED
CONTROVERSY.
IT WAS NOT EITHER OF THE
CONFIRMATIONS WE WERE PUTTING IN
FRONT OF THIS COMMITTEE TODAY
PARTLY BECAUSE COUNCILMEMBER
GONZALEZ AND I REALLY DID
SOLICIT, INTERNALIZE, AND VALUE
THE INPUT OF THE FOLKS ON THE
REGIONAL HOMELESS AUTHORITY AND
WITH THOSE REMARKS I WOULD JUST
ENCOURAGE PASSAGE OF BOTH OF
THESE FOLKS TODAY, CONFIRMATION
AND REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO
SEEING THE WORK THEY DO WITH THE
OTHER MEMBERS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS ON THE
APPOINTMENTS?
OKAY.
HEARING NONE, I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS FOR HIS
PARTNERSHIP ON THIS IMPORTANT
BODY OF WORK AND APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE THESE TWO
APPOINTMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL.
I THINK THE IMPLEMENTATION BOARD
AND THE REGIONAL EFFORT AROUND
ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS WILL BE
WELL SERVED BY THESE TWO
CANDIDATES CERTAINLY BUT BY
THE -- I HOPE BY THE WHOLE SLATE
OF THOSE WHO WILL SERVE ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION BOARD.
SO HEARING NO FURTHER COMMENTS,
I'D ASK THE CLERK TO PLEASE CALL
THE ROLE ON THE CONFIRMATION OF
THE APPOINTMENTS.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSEN.
>> AYE.
>> SAWANT.
>> AYE.
>> STRAUSS.
>> AYE.
YES.
>> THANK YOU.
JUAREZ.
>> AYE.
>> HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> MORALES.
>> YES.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> YES.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE MOTION CARRIES.
AND THE APPOINTMENTS ARE
CONFIRMED.
WE HAVE A VERY SHORT AGENDA
TODAY SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO MOVE
OVER TO OTHER BUSINESS.
IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO
COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL?
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> THANK YOU.
I MOVE TO BE EXCUSED FROM THE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON AUGUST
17TH.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
ANY OBJECTION TO COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT'S REQUEST TO BE EXCUSED
FROM THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING ON
AUGUST 17TH?
HEARING NONE, COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT WILL BE EXCUSED FROM THE
FULL COUNCIL MEETING ON AUGUST
17TH.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME
BEFORE THE COUNCIL?
>> CAN YOU KNOW
COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I'M
SORRY.
I'M ASKING TO BE EXCUSED ON
MONDAY, AUGUST 10TH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION,
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ WILL BE
EXCUSED FROM THE FULL COUNCIL
MEETING OF AUGUST 10TH.
HEARING NO OBJECTION,
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ WILL BE
EXCUSED FROM THE FULL COUNCIL
MEETING ON AUGUST 10TH.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME
BEFORE THE COUNCIL?
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
I AM ASKING AS WELL FOR THE
COUNCIL'S PERMISSION TO BE
EXCUSED ON AUGUST 17TH.
>> COLLEAGUES, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA HAS ASKED TO BE EXCUSED
ON MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THAT REQUEST?
HEARING NO OBJECTION,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA WILL BE
EXCUSED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME
BEFORE THE COUNCIL?
OKAY, COLLEAGUES.
HEARING NO OTHER BUSINESS TO
COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL, THIS
CONCLUDES THE ITEMS OF BUSINESS
ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
WE ARE ENDING TODAY'S MEETING AT
2:50 P.M.
JUST IN TIME FOR US TO
ALL GO BACK INTO OUR VIRTUAL
OFFICES AND DIG INTO THE
IMPORTANT WORK THAT FACES US FOR
THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR
HARD WORK TODAY.
IT WAS ANOTHER LONG DAY.
OUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING IS
ON MONDAY, AUGUST 10TH, 2020, AT
2:00 P.M.
AND I HOPE THAT YOU
ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL AFTERNOON.
WE ARE ADJOURNED, EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.